Closure assembly including pivotable handle and method for sealing a container

ABSTRACT

A closure assembly includes a cap having a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis and a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion. The cap also includes a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with the container. The handle is pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployed second position relative to the cap. In the second position, the second end portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of the outer wall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in opposite directions about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relative to the container. The cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle between the first position and the second position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to caps for use with containers,and, more particularly, to a closure assembly for use with a containerto open and close an opening in the container.

BACKGROUND

It is common to close or seal an opening of a container with a threadedcap. In certain situations it is advantageous, and often even mandated,to require a certain amount of torque to remove the cap from thecontainer. For example, where the container includes certain hazardousmaterials, caps and containers may be designed with minimum openingtorque requirements, in order to prevent unwanted disengagement of thecap from the container which might allow escape of the materials fromthe container during shipment or handling, or to prevent unwanted accessto the contents of the container by children, for example. While minimumopening torque requirements are generally effective at preventing suchunwanted occurrences due to a tight fit between the cap and thecontainer, there are undesired consequences when applying suchrequirements. For example, certain users may lack the strength toprovide the requisite torque to remove the cap from the container. Asthe effective diameter of the cap increases, providing the requisitetorque may become even more difficult for certain members of the generalpopulation, and especially for those who generally lack strength or haverelatively small hands.

Consequently, there remains a need in the art for a closure assemblythat overcomes the disadvantages identified above.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides improvements to overcome the shortcomingsand drawbacks of containers, caps, and closure assemblies heretoforeknown. While the invention will be described in connection with anexemplary embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to this embodiment. On the contrary, the invention includes allalternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

To that end, rather than relegating a user to rely on his or her generalstrength or hand size, in one embodiment, a closure assembly for use insealing an opening provided in a container is provided for use with avariety of shapes and sizes of containers meant for containing a varietyof materials including, but not limited to, laboratory chemicals. Theclosure assembly includes a cap having a radially outer wall surroundinga central axis. The cap also includes a threaded portion configured forthreaded engagement with the container. The closure assembly alsoincludes a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion.The handle is pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first endportion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowedfirst position and a deployed second position relative to the cap. Inthe second position, the second end portion of the handle is positionedradially outward of the outer wall such that the handle is accessiblefor rotation in opposite directions about the central axis to loosen ortighten the cap relative to the container. The cap, when tightenedrelative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening duringmovement of the handle between the first position and the secondposition.

In one embodiment, the cap includes a recess at least partiallycircumscribed by the outer wall. The handle extends into the recess whenpositioned in the first position.

In another embodiment, the cap and the handle are configured tofrictionally engage one another to maintain the handle in the firstposition. In yet another embodiment, the cap includes a projection andthe handle includes an aperture or receptacle portion. The projection isconfigured to extend into the aperture or receptacle portion when thehandle is positioned in the first position.

In another embodiment, a closure assembly and a container are provided.The container includes a container body. The closure assembly includes acap having a radially outer wall surrounding a central axis. The capalso includes a threaded portion configured for threaded engagement withthe container. The closure assembly also includes a handle having afirst end portion and a second end portion. The handle is pivotablycoupled to the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle isconfigured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployedsecond position relative to the cap. In the second position, the secondend portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of the outerwall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in oppositedirections about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relativeto the container. The cap, when tightened relative to the container,maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle betweenthe first position and the second position.

A method for sealing an opening provided in a container with a closureassembly is also provided. The closure assembly includes a cap defininga radially outer wall surrounding a central axis. The cap also includesa threaded portion configured for threaded engagement with a container,and a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion. Thehandle is pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first end portion.The method includes moving the handle from a stowed first positionrelative to the cap to a deployed second position relative to the capsuch that the second end portion is positioned radially outward of theouter wall. The cap, when tightened relative to the container, maintainssealing of the opening in the container during movement of the handlebetween the first position and the second position. The method furtherincludes rotating the handle to rotate the cap about the central axisrelative to the container to loosen or tighten the cap relative to thecontainer.

Various additional aspects and features of the invention will becomemore readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewof the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the inventionand, together with a general description of the invention given above,and the detailed description of the embodiment given below, serves toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure assembly according to oneembodiment of the present invention, with a handle of the closureassembly positioned in a stowed position and a cap of the closureassembly being assembled with a container;

FIG. 2 is view similar to FIG. 1, showing the handle of the closureassembly positioned in an intermediate position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the handle of the closureassembly positioned in a deployed position and the cap of the closureassembly being disassembled from the container;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the closure assembly of FIG.1 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing the handle of the closureassembly positioned in the stowed position and the cap of the closureassembly being assembled with a container;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the handle positioned in thedeployed position; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the closure assembly of FIG. 1, showing thehandle of the closure assembly positioned in the stowed position.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarilyto scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variouspreferred features illustrative of the basic principles of theinvention. The specific design features of the sequence of operations asdisclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions,orientations, locations, and shapes of various illustrated components,will be determined in part by the particular intended application anduse environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiment may havebeen enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitatevisualization and clear understanding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, a closure assembly 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention is shown and includes a cap 12 and ahandle 14. As shown, the cap 12 may be used to close and essentiallyseal an opening 16 of a container 18. In that regard, the cap 12 and thecontainer 18 are configured to threadably engage one another and eachincludes complementary threads 20, 22, respectively. In order to engageor disengage the cap 12 relative to the container 18, the handle 14 maybe moved from a stowed first position (FIGS. 1 and 4) to a deployedsecond position (FIGS. 3 and 5), as will be described in more detailbelow, and the handle 14 may then essentially be used as a moment arm torotate the cap 12 relative to the container 18 to thereby loosen ortighten the cap 12 relative to the container 18.

In one embodiment, the cap 12 includes a radially outer lip 24 generallysurrounding a central axis 26 and circumscribing at least part of arecess 28 in which part of the handle 14 may reside in the stowedposition. The outer lip 24 may include a radially inner portion 30, aradially outer portion 32, and an upper, generally planar portion 34extending between the inner and outer portions 30, 32. As shown, theinner portion 30 may be planar in cross-section and the upper portion 34may lie along a first plane 35 (FIG. 4) that extends generallyperpendicular to the central axis 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the innerportion 30 is sloped away from the central axis 26 toward the outerportion 32 such that the inner portion 30 is disposed at an angle αrelative to central axis 26 and at an angle β relative to first plane35. In the embodiment shown, the inner portion 30 defines a radiallyoutward boundary of the recess 28. The upper portion 34 may define anupper boundary of the recess 28. The lower boundary of the recess 28 maybe defined by a planar face 36 of the cap 12, part of which iscircumscribed by the outer lip 24. As seen best in FIGS. 1 through 3,the outer lip 24 is partially circumferential such that it terminates attwo ends 38 a, 38 b, with a space 40 between the two ends 38 a, 38 bthat is essentially another portion of the planar face 36. As discussedbelow, the handle 14 may extend at least partially into the recess 28when positioned in the stowed position.

The outer portion 32 may generally define a radially outward surface orradially outer wall 41 of the cap 12, which, as shown, radiallysurrounds the central axis 26 and may be generally polygonal in shape.More specifically, the outer portion 32 may be generally octagonal andinclude eight faces, three of which are planar faces 42 a, one of whichis planar face 42 a′, and four of which are curved faces 42 b. Planarfaces 42 a and curved faces 42 b are substantially the same height.Planar face 42 a′ (FIGS. 4-6) extends to a shorter height, due in partto the presence of space 40 between 38 a, 38 b. Each of the curved faces42 b is either positioned between an adjacent set of planar faces 42 a,or between an adjacent set of planar faces 42 a, 42 a′. In alternativeembodiments, the faces 42 a and 42 b may include different sizes andshapes than those shown. For example, the faces 42 a, 42 a′, and 42 bmay vary in height, length, and/or shape relative to one another.

In one embodiment, the outer portion 32 also includes an inner surface44 which, in order to threadably couple or engage the cap 12 relative tothe container 18, includes male threads 20 that extend radially inwardlyfor engaging corresponding female threads 22 formed on a neck 43 of thecontainer 18. It will be appreciated that the shape and configuration ofthe outer lip 24 is not so limited to the configuration shown. Forexample, in an alternative embodiment, the outer lip 24 may include adifferent shape, which may or may not depend on the shape orconfiguration of the handle 14. Furthermore, the number and ordering ofplanar faces 42 a and curved faces 42 b may be reconfigured in otherembodiments. Moreover, in other embodiments, the outer lip 24, ratherthan being a partially circumferential member, outer lip 24 may be afully circumferential member, or may include at least one or a set ofdiscrete flanges or lips (not shown) with spaces between adjacentflanges or lips. Alternatively, the cap 12 may not include any lip 24.

In the embodiment shown, the cap 12 also includes a projection 46 forengagement with the handle 14. As shown, the projection 46 extendsupwardly and generally parallel to the central axis 26 and toward thefirst plane 35 from the planar face 36. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5,the projection 46 extends to a point relative to first plane 35 suchthat a top portion 48 of the projection 46 lies at a point below thefirst plane 35, but in alternative embodiments, the projection 46 mayextend to different lengths and/or distances relative to the first plane35. It will be appreciated that the projection 46, as shown, isgenerally cylindrical but is not so limited to such a shape.

In the embodiment shown, the handle 14 includes a first end portion 50and a second end portion 52 and is configured to be used to actuaterotation of the cap 12 relative to the container 18. The handle 14 maybe pivotably coupled to the cap 12 proximate the first end portion 50 byrespective first and second hinge portions 53, 54 of the cap 12 andhandle 14. The first hinge portions 53 of the cap 12 extend toward thefirst plane 35 from the planar face 36, while the second hinge portions54 of the handle 14 extend from first end portion 50 of handle 14 andare essentially integral therewith. A hinge pin 56 may extend betweenadjacent first hinge portions 53 as well as between the first hingeportions 53 and adjacent ones of the ends 38 a, 38 b. As shown in FIG.4, each of the second hinge portions 54 includes an aperture 54 a, towhich access is provided by access slots 57. In order to assemble thecap 12 and handle 14, the second hinge portions 54 may be directed intoengagement with (i.e. snapped onto) the hinge pin 56 such that portionsof the hinge pin 56 are disposed within apertures 54 a of second hingeportions 54. As the second hinge portions 54 are snapped into engagementwith hinge pin 56, access slots 57 provide initial access into theapertures 54 a. In that regard, access slots 57 may expand to allowhinge pin 56 to be snapped into engagement with apertures 54 a. Once thecap 12 and handle 14 are coupled or engaged, the handle 14 may berotated to the stowed first position for shipping, storage, and use. Itwill be understood that while a single hinge pin 56 has been describedin this embodiment, this hinge pin could be provided as separate hingepins or separate pin portions in other embodiments.

In the embodiment shown, the handle 14 includes a first side 58extending between the first and second end portions 50, 52 and a secondside 60 opposite the first side 58 that also extends between the firstand second end portions 50, 52. As shown, the first and second sides 58,60 may be generally planar and parallel to one another. The handle 14also includes a first edge 62 extending between the first and second endportions 50, 52 and a second edge 64 opposing the first edge 62, alsoextending between the first and second end portions 50, 52. As best seenin FIGS. 2 and 3, at least a portion of each of the first and secondedges 62, 64 tapers towards a middle of the handle 14 to providegripping surfaces 65 for a user's fingers when moving the handle 14 fromthe stowed position. The handle 14 also includes a generally circularaperture 66, which includes a first, tapered portion 66 a and a second,radially constant portion 66 b. However, the shape and configuration ofthe aperture 66 is not so limited and may or may not depend on the shapeof the projection 46. For example, rather than having an aperture 66, inan alternative embodiment, the handle 14 may include a receptacleportion (not shown) defined as a recess in the handle 14.

As shown, the handle 14 is movable between the stowed first position(FIGS. 1 and 4), where the handle 14 extends into the recess 28, and thedeployed second position (FIGS. 3 and 5), relative to the cap 12. Thefeatures of the cap 12 and handle 14 allow for frictional engagementwith one another that maintains the handle 14 in the stowed position.More particularly, in the stowed position, the projection 46 may extendinto the aperture 66 and frictionally engage with the aperture 66 toprovide a force sufficient to maintain the handle 14 in the stowedposition. When in the stowed position, the first side 58 may generallyface the first plane 35. As shown, the first side 58 extends along aplane that is below the first plane 35. However, in other embodiments,the first side 58 may be positioned to be coplanar with, or above, thefirst plane 35. Furthermore, as shown, the second side 60 generallyabuts or contacts the planar face 36 of cap 12 and the first end portion50 generally abuts or contacts the inner portion 30 of the outer lip 24.In that regard, the shape, slope, or angle of the second end portion 52may be substantially similar to that of the inner portion 30. As shownin FIG. 4, the second end portion 52 extends between the first side 58to the second side 60 away from the central axis 26 such that the secondend portion 52 tapers at an angle γ relative to a second plane 68 thatextends along and is coplanar with planar face 36.

Moreover, as shown in the stowed position (i.e., FIG. 4), the second endportion 52 is positioned within a circumferential periphery of the cap12 defined by the outer wall 41. However, in other embodiments, thesecond end portion 52 may extend radially outward of the circumferentialperiphery of the cap 12 in the first position, depending on the lengthof the handle 14, for example.

In at least one embodiment, in order to move the handle 14 from thestowed position to the deployed position, a user may pull on the handle14 to rotate the handle 14 in the direction of arrow 70 (FIGS. 2 and 4).Alternatively, an instrument (not shown) may be used to move the handle14 to and from the stowed and deployed positions. The taper at thegripping surfaces 65 on each of the first and second edges 62, 64, asmentioned above, may assist the user in properly positioning his or herfingers (or an instrument), such that a force greater than thefrictional force between the projection 46 and aperture 66 may beprovided. After the frictional engagement between the aperture 66 andthe projection 46 is essentially overcome, the handle 14 may be rotatedabout the hinge pin 56 to the deployed position. Notably, duringmovement of the handle 14 between the stowed position and the deployedposition, the cap 12 continues to block access to the opening 16 in thecontainer 18. In other words, moving the handle 14 from the stowedposition to the deployed position does not effectuate opening, closing,tightening, or loosening of the cap 12 relative to the container 18 oropening 16.

In the embodiment shown, in the second, deployed position, a substantialportion of the handle 14 is positioned radially outward of the outerportion 32 such that at least the second end portion 52 of the handle 14is positioned radially outward of radially outer wall 41 that is definedby outer portion 32. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the second side 60of the handle 14 is positioned below and generally faces towards thefirst plane 35, while the first side 58 is positioned below and facesgenerally away from the first plane 35. In alternative embodiments, thesecond side 60 may be coplanar with or positioned above the first plane35 when the handle 14 is in the deployed position.

Once the handle 14 is in the deployed position as shown in FIGS. 3 and5, the handle 14 may be rotated to thereby rotate the cap 12 in order toloosen or tighten the cap 12 relative to container 18. In order toloosen, or disassemble, the cap 12 relative to the container 18, thehandle 14 is rotated in a first direction (indicated by arrows 72, FIG.3) about the central axis 26. In order to tighten, or assemble, the cap12 relative to the container 18, the handle 14 is rotated in a seconddirection that is opposite to the first direction.

In the embodiment shown, when the handle 14 is rotated to loosen the cap12 relative to the container 18 to a point where the cap 12 issufficiently loosened from the container 18, the cap 12 may then beremoved from the container 18. In order to accomplish removal of the cap12, a user may simply lift the handle 14 and rely on the hinged couplingbetween the cap 12 and the handle 14 in order to support the cap 12during lifting from the container 18 to provide access to the container18 via opening 16. Once the user no longer desires access to the opening16 of the container 18, the user may grab the handle 14, which is stillclosely engaging the cap 12, and use the handle 14 to place the cap 12onto the container 18. Then, the user may once again rotate the handle14 in the appropriate direction to tighten the threaded engagement ofthe cap 12 relative to the container 18. The user may then return thehandle 14 to the stowed position. During rotation of the handle 14 toloosen or tighten the cap 12 relative to the container 18, the positionof the handle 14 relative to the cap 12 may be substantially constant.Of course, the relative angular position between the handle 14 and thecap 12 may differ slightly as the user rotates the handle 14 and the cap12.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description ofvarious embodiments and while those embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of applicant to restrict orin any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details.Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is thereforenot limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of applicant's invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure assembly for use in sealing an openingprovided in a container, comprising: a cap having a radially outer wallsurrounding a central axis and including a threaded portion configuredfor threaded engagement with the container; and a handle having a firstend portion and a second end portion, the handle being pivotably coupledto the cap proximate the first end portion whereby the handle isconfigured to be movable between a stowed first position and a deployedsecond position relative to the cap, wherein in the second position, thesecond end portion of the handle is positioned radially outward of theouter wall such that the handle is accessible for rotation in oppositedirections about the central axis to loosen or tighten the cap relativeto the container, and further wherein the cap, when tightened relativeto the container, maintains sealing of the opening during movement ofthe handle between the first position and the second position.
 2. Theclosure assembly of claim 1, wherein: the cap includes a recess at leastpartially circumscribed by the outer wall, the handle extending into therecess when positioned in the first position.
 3. The closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the cap and the handle are configured to frictionallyengage one another to maintain the handle in the first position.
 4. Theclosure assembly of claim 3, wherein the cap includes a projection andthe handle includes an aperture or receptacle portion, the projectionconfigured to extend into the aperture or receptacle portion when thehandle is positioned in the first position.
 5. The closure assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the cap includes a recess at least partiallycircumscribed by the outer wall and the handle extends into the recessof the cap when positioned in the first position.
 6. The closureassembly of claim 1, wherein the cap includes an upper portion definingat least part of a first plane, and the handle includes a first sideextending between the first and second end portions, wherein the firstside either faces toward or is coplanar with the first plane when thehandle is positioned in the first position.
 7. The closure assembly ofclaim 6, wherein in the second position, the first side is spaced fromthe first plane.
 8. The closure assembly of claim 6, wherein in thesecond position, the first side faces away from the first plane.
 9. Theclosure assembly of claim 6, wherein the handle includes a second sideopposing the first side, wherein the second side either generally facestoward the first plane or is coplanar with the first plane when thehandle is positioned in the second position.
 10. The closure assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the handle includes a first side and a second side,wherein the first and second sides each extend between the first andsecond end portions and are generally parallel.
 11. The closure assemblyof claim 1, wherein the handle includes a first edge and a second edge,each of the first and second edges extending between the first andsecond end portions, wherein at least a portion of each the first edgeand the second edge tapers towards a middle of the handle locatedbetween the first edge and the second edge to define at least onegripping surface.
 12. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein thesecond end portion of the handle is configured to be positioned radiallyinward of the outer edge when the handle is positioned in the firstposition.
 13. In combination, a closure assembly and a container, theclosure assembly being configured to seal an opening provided in thecontainer, comprising: a container body having an opening; a cap havinga radially outer wall surrounding a central axis and including athreaded portion configured for threaded engagement with the containerbody; and a handle having a first end portion and a second end portion,the handle being pivotably coupled to the cap proximate the first endportion whereby the handle is configured to be movable between a stowedfirst position and a deployed second position relative to the cap,wherein in the second position, the second end portion of the handle ispositioned radially outward of the outer wall such that the handle isaccessible for rotation in opposite directions about the central axis toloosen or tighten the cap relative to the container body, and furtherwherein the cap, when tightened relative to the container body,maintains sealing of the opening during movement of the handle betweenthe first position and the second position.
 14. A method for sealing anopening provided in a container with a closure assembly, the closureassembly comprising a cap defining a radially outer wall surrounding acentral axis and including a threaded portion configured for threadedengagement with a container, and a handle having a first end portion anda second end portion, with the handle pivotably coupled to the capproximate the first end portion, the method comprising: moving thehandle from a stowed first position relative to the cap to a deployedsecond position relative to the cap such that the second end portion ispositioned radially outward of the outer wall, wherein the cap, whentightened relative to the container, maintains sealing of the opening inthe container during movement of the handle between the first positionand the second position; and rotating the handle to rotate the cap aboutthe central axis relative to the container to loosen or tighten the caprelative to the container.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein rotatingthe handle further comprises: rotating the handle in a first directionto loosen the cap relative to the container; and rotating the handle ina second direction to tighten the cap relative to the container.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising: rotating the handle such that aposition of the handle relative to the cap remains substantiallyconstant during loosening or tightening of the cap relative to thecontainer.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: lifting andremoving the cap from the container using the handle once the cap issufficiently loosened relative to the container.
 18. The method of claim14, wherein the cap includes a projection and the handle includes anaperture or receptacle portion, and the method further comprises: movingthe handle back to the first position such that the projection extendsinto the aperture or receptacle portion.
 19. The method of claim 14,wherein the cap includes a recess, and the method further comprises:moving the handle back to the first position such that the handleextends into the recess.
 20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:moving the handle from the second position to the first position suchthat second end portion is positioned within radially inward of theouter edge.
 21. The method of claim 14, further comprising: moving thehandle from the second position back to the first position such that thehandle and cap frictionally engage one another.
 22. The method of claim14, wherein the cap includes an upper surface located along a firstplane and the handle includes a first side between the first and secondend portions, and the method further comprises: moving the handle fromsecond position to the first position such that the first side eitherfaces toward or is coplanar with the first plane.
 23. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the handle includes a second side opposing the firstside, and the method further comprises: moving the handle from the firstposition to the second position such that the second side eithergenerally faces toward the first plane or is coplanar with the firstplane.
 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising: moving the handlefrom first position to the second position such that the first sidefaces away from the first plane.